Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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STRETCHABLE HEATING TAPE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No.
62/616,575, entitled ELECTRICALLY HEATED TAPE, filed January 12, 2018, which
is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to stretchable tape, such as
kinesiology tape, and in
particular, to stretchable tape having an electrical heating element.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Kinesiology tape consists of a strip of elastic and non-elastic
fibers, usually
covered in cotton, which is placed on human skin. Kinesiology tape is useful
in therapy to
reduce soreness in overused and injured muscles and in rehabilitation to
accelerate recovery.
The tape can have a lifting effect on the skin which can reduce swelling and
inflammation by
improving circulation and reduce pain by taking pressure off pain receptors.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure is directed to a heating mechanism
including stretchable
heating tape and a rechargeable electrical power source. The stretchable
heating tape can be
worn to provide heat and pressure relief on different parts of a user's body
anisotropically.
According to a first embodiment, a stretchable heating tape includes an
elastic backing
material, a continuous heating element at least partially woven through the
elastic backing
material, an adhesive material, and two or more heating element connection
points. The
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heating element connection points are positioned on a first side of the
elastic backing material
and the adhesive material is positioned on a second side of the elastic
backing material. The
heating element connection points enable connection of an electric controller
to the
continuous heating element such that electric current from the electric
controller is at least
partially converted to heat energy when flowing through the continuous heating
element. In
an aspect, the elastic backing material and/or the adhesive material are
configured to at least
partially transfer the heat energy to a portion of a user's body when the
stretchable heating
tape is positioned adjacent to the portion of the user's body.
[0005] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from
the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that
the detailed
description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment
of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended
to limit the
scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the
attendant
advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference
to the
following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying
drawings wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a top view of the stretchable heating tape;
[0008] FIG. 2A depicts another top view of the stretchable heating tape;
[0009] FIG. 2B depicts a bottom view of the stretchable heating tape;
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[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the stretchable heating
tape of FIGS. 1,
2A, and 2B;
[0011] FIG. 4A depicts a top view of another embodiment of the
stretchable heating tape;
[0012] FIG. 4B depicts a bottom view of the embodiment of the stretchable
heating tape
of FIG. 5A;
[0013] FIG. 5A depicts a top view of yet another embodiment of the
stretchable heating
tape;
[0014] FIG. 5B depicts a bottom view of the embodiment of the stretchable
heating tape
of FIG. 6A;
[0015] FIG. 6A depicts a bottom view of the stretchable heating tape of
FIG. 1 in an
unstretched state;
[0016] FIG. 6B depicts the bottom view of the stretchable heating tape of
FIG. 1 in a
stretched state;
[0017] FIG. 6C depicts a close-up of the bottom view of the stretchable
heating tape of
FIG. 1 in the unstretched state;
[0018] FIG. 6D depicts a close-up of the bottom view of the stretchable
heating tape of
FIG. 1 in the stretched state;
[0019] FIGS. 7 and 8 depict knitting diagrams for knitting an elastic
backing material and
weaving therein a conductive heating element of the stretchable heating tape;
[0020] FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram schematic of a controller for use
with the
stretchable heating tape;
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[0021] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the controller and a
controller housing;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the controller housing;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the controller housing and
at least one
electrical connector;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the controller housing;
[0025] FIG. 14A depicts a bottom view of another embodiment of the
stretchable heating
tape in an unstretched state;
[0026] FIG. 14B depicts a bottom view of the embodiment of the
stretchable heating tape
of FIG. 14A in a stretched state.
[0027] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and
alternative forms,
specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and
will herein
be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings
and detailed
description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the
particular
embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications,
.. equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the
present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The present disclosure is directed to an on-the-go heating
mechanism for effective
heat with stretchable heating tape that can be worn to provide heat and
pressure relief on
different parts of a user's body anisotropically. As used herein, kinesiology
tape refers to a
fabric tape, having an adhesive on one side, with anisotropic stretching
properties such that
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the kinesiology tape can be stretched in a first direction without
significantly affecting the
dimensions of the kinesiology tape in other unstretched dimensions. The
stretchable heating
tape described herein can use a rechargeable electrical power source (e.g.,
battery, USB
power source, etc.) to provide electric current to a heating wire at least
partially woven into
.. and through what in some embodiments may be a single-layer stretchable
tape. On one side
of such stretchable tape lies a single-layer fabric in which non-stretchable
heating wire is at
least partially weaved with stretchable knitted yams to make a stretchable
fabric that can
stretch up to 100%. On the other side of the stretchable tape lies an adhesive
material that
provides tension at various levels of stretch up to 100% and can sustain
multiple hours on
direct skin applications (e.g., up to 10 hours). Such stretchable fabric can
have a connector
coming from one end or both ends which will provide a path for electrical
power through one
or more inter-connecting cables between the stretchable heating tape and the
controller which
houses the electrical power source and its control circuitry.
[0029] A design feature of the present disclosure is a single-layer
fabric in which non-
stretchable heating wire is at least partially woven in a serpentine pattern
with stretchable
knitted yam to make a stretchable fabric in horizontal, vertical, or both
directions and
stretches up to 100%. In knitting such fabric, portions of the heating wire
can be placed at a
fixed distance apart in-between stretchable yarns. In addition, the serpentine
pattern of the
heating wire can be placed horizontally, vertically, or any fixed angle
relative to the single-
layer fabric. The end points of such stretchable fabric can come from both
sides or from a
single side.
[0030] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the
drawing figures,
in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes
of clarity in
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illustrating the characteristics of the present disclosure, proportional
relationships of the
elements have not necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.
[0031] The present disclosure is directed to a stretchable heating tape
2. Referring now to
the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like
elements, there is shown
in FIGS. 1-3 views of a stretchable heating tape 2 in accordance with the
present disclosure.
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the stretchable heating tape 2. FIG. 2A is
another top plan view
of the stretchable heating tape 2 and FIG. 2B is a bottom plan view of the
stretchable heating
tape 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the stretchable heating tape 2
taken along the line
A-A indicated in FIG. 1. The stretchable heating tape 2 includes an elastic
backing material 4
having a conductive heating element 6 at least partially woven through the
length "L" of the
elastic backing material 4. An adhesive material 8 is provided on one side 10
of the
stretchable heating tape 2 to allow for a placement/securement to a portion of
a user's body.
In an embodiment, the stretchable heating tape 2 has a thickness of three
millimeters or less
to enable the tape to fit discreetly under a user's clothing. An electric
controller 12 is
selectively connectable to the conductive heating element 6, such that when an
electric
current is supplied from the electric controller 12 through the conductive
heating element 6,
heat is produced. The produced heat is transferable from the conductive
heating element 6
through the elastic backing material 4 and/or the adhesive material 8 to the
portion of the
user's body upon which the stretchable heating tape 2 is placed/secured.
[0032] The elastic backing material 4 can be made of a natural or synthetic
knitted fabric
that is stretchable along its length "L" and width "W." In an embodiment,
elastic backing
material 4 is comprised of a nylon/spandex fabric (e.g., 17% spandex, 83%
nylon). In some
embodiments, the elastic backing material 4 is comprised of a plurality of
interlocking loops
made from one or more yarns, with each row of loops caught into the preceding
row. A
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plurality of the interlocked loops may run in wales in the direction of the
length "L" of the
elastic backing material 4 and a plurality of the interlocked loops may run in
courses in the
direction of the width "W" of the elastic backing material 4. In some
embodiments, the
elastic backing material 4 is knitted using a jersey (i.e., plain) stitch. In
further embodiments,
the jersey stitch may be a birds eye jersey stitch. Additional details
regarding the
construction and manufacture of elastic backing material 4 are further
described herein.
[0033] The conductive heating element 6 is at least partially woven
through the elastic
backing material 4 along the length "L" of the elastic backing material 4. For
example, the
conductive heating element 6 may be woven through interlocking loops of
elastic backing
material 4 that comprise a course (i.e., a row) in the direction of the width
"W" of the
stretchable heating tape 2. In some embodiments, conductive heating element 6
may be
referred to as being integrated into or embedded within elastic backing
material 4. In an
embodiment, the conductive heating element 6 is woven in a serpentine pattern
having a
substantially vertical orientation with respect to the length "L" of the
elastic backing material
4, such that a plurality of woven segments 14 of the conductive heating
element 6 each span a
width "W" of the elastic backing material 4 and are spaced apart a distance
"d" along the
length "L" of the elastic backing material 4. The spaced apart distance "d"
can be such that
adjacent woven segments 14 are in close proximity without abutting each other.
In an
exemplary embodiment, adjacent woven segments 14 are spaced from a distance
"d" of 0.5
inches from each other up to a distance "d" of 1.5 inches from each other.
However, it will
be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that adjacent woven segments 14
can be spaced
any distance "d" from each other that provides uniform heat distribution
through stretchable
heating tape 2. Each of the adjacent woven segments 14 are connected with an
unwoven
section 16, visible from the bottom of the elastic backing material 4, forming
the continuous
conductive heating element 6 in the serpentine pattern through the length "L"
of the elastic
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backing material 4. In some embodiments, the unwoven sections 16 are arcuate.
Referring
particularly to FIG. 2B, the adjacent woven segments 14 of the conductive
heating element 6
are woven into the elastic backing material 4, as illustrated by the dashed
line portions, and
the unwoven sections 16 of the conductive heating element 6 are not woven into
the elastic
backing material 4, as illustrated by the solid line portions. In this manner,
the conductive
heating element 6 is at least partially woven into the elastic backing
material 4. For example,
the conductive heating element 6 may be at least partially woven in a
serpentine pattern.
Moreover, each unwoven section 16 is unconstrained by the elastic backing
material 4, which
enables the conductive heating element 6 to remain continuous (i.e., not
break) as the
stretchable heating tape 2 is stretched. In embodiments in which the unwoven
sections 16 are
arcuate, the degree of curvature of each unwoven section 16 changes (e.g.,
flattens) as the
stretchable heating tape 2 is stretched in the direction of its length "L", as
further described
herein. In some embodiments, conductive heating element 6 may be referred to
as a
conductive heating thread.
[0034] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3 generally, the conductive heating
element 6 is
electrically coupled to heating element connectors 18 and 20 for connecting
the conductive
heating element 6 to an electrical connector that in turn is connected to the
electric controller
12. In an embodiment, opposite free ends of the conductive heating element 6
are
respectively coupled to the heating element connectors 18 and 20, which are
positioned on
opposite ends 22 and 24, respectively, of the elastic backing material 4.
However, it is
envisioned that the heating element connectors 18 and 20 can be positioned at
the same end
of the electric backing material 4, or alternatively on the same or opposite
side edges 26 and
28 of the elastic backing material 4. In an embodiment, heating element
connectors 18 and
20 each are comprised of a direct current (DC) jack female connector. However,
it will be
appreciated by persons skilled in the art that heating element connectors 18
and 20 may be
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any connectors capable of electrically coupling the conductive heating element
6 to an
electrical connector that in turn is connected to the electric controller 12.
[0035] In another embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the
conductive heating
element 6 is woven in a serpentine pattern having a substantially horizontal
orientation along
the width "W" of the elastic backing material 4, such that the plurality of
woven segments 14
of the conductive heating element 6 each span at least a portion the length
"L" of the elastic
backing material 4 and are spaced apart a distance "d." For example, the
conductive heating
element 6 may be woven through interlocking loops of elastic backing material
4 that
comprise a wale (i.e., a column) in the direction of the length "L" of the
stretchable heating
tape 2. The spaced apart distance "d" can be such that adjacent woven segments
14 are in
close proximity without abutting each other. In an exemplary embodiment,
adjacent woven
segments 14 are spaced from a distance "d" of 0.5 inches from each other up to
a distance "d"
of 1.5 inches from each other. However, it will be appreciated by persons
skilled in the art
that adjacent woven segments 14 can be spaced any distance "d" from each other
that
provides uniform heat distribution through stretchable heating tape 2. Each of
the adjacent
woven segments 14 are connected with an unwoven section 16, visible from the
bottom of the
elastic backing material 4, forming the continuous conductive heating element
6 in the
serpentine pattern through the length "L" of the elastic backing material 4.
In some
embodiments, the unwoven sections 16 are arcuate. The adjacent woven segments
14 of the
.. conductive heating element 6 are woven into the elastic backing material 4,
as illustrated by
the dashed line portions, and the unwoven sections 16 of the conductive
heating element 6 are
not woven into the elastic backing material 4, as illustrated by the solid
line portions. In this
manner, the conductive heating element 6 is at least partially woven into the
elastic backing
material 4. For example, the conductive heating element 6 may be at least
partially woven in
a serpentine pattern. Moreover, each unwoven section 16 is unconstrained by
the elastic
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backing material 4, which enables the conductive heating element 6 to remain
continuous
(i.e., not break) as the stretchable heating tape 2 is stretched. In
embodiments in which the
unwoven sections 16 are arcuate, the degree of curvature of each unwoven
section 16
changes (e.g., flattens) as the stretchable heating tape 2 is stretched in the
direction of its
width "W", as further described herein.
[0036] In a further embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the
conductive heating
element 6 is woven in a serpentine pattern at an angle "a" with respect to the
length "L" of
the elastic backing material 4, such that a plurality of woven segments 14 of
the conductive
heating element 6 each are oriented along the length "L" and width "W" of the
elastic
backing material 4 and are spaced apart a distance "d." The angle "a" can be
any angle
between one degree and eighty-nine degrees. In some embodiments, the angle "a"
is thirty
degrees. In other embodiments, the angle "a" is forty-five degrees. In further
embodiments,
the angle "a" is sixty degrees. The spaced apart distance "d" can be such that
adjacent woven
segments 14 are in close proximity without abutting each other. In an
exemplary
.. embodiment, adjacent woven segments 14 are spaced from a distance "d" of
0.5 inches from
each other up to a distance "d" of 1.5 inches from each other. However, it
will be appreciated
by persons skilled in the art that adjacent woven segments 14 can be spaced
any distance "d"
from each other that provides uniform heat distribution through stretchable
heating tape 2.
Each of the adjacent woven segments 14 are connected with an unwoven section
16, forming
.. the continuous conductive heating element 6 in the serpentine pattern
through the length of
the elastic backing material 4. In some embodiments, the unwoven sections 16
are arcuate.
The adjacent woven segments 14 of the conductive heating element 6 are woven
into the
elastic backing material 4, as illustrated by the dashed line portions, and
the unwoven
sections 16 of the conductive heating element 6 are not woven into the elastic
backing
material 4, as illustrated by the solid line portions. In this manner, the
conductive heating
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element 6 is at least partially woven into the elastic backing material 4. For
example, the
conductive heating element 6 may be at least partially woven in a serpentine
pattern.
Moreover, each unwoven section 16 is unconstrained by the elastic backing
material 4, which
enables the conductive heating element 6 to remain continuous (i.e., not
break) as the
stretchable heating tape 2 is stretched. In embodiments in which the unwoven
sections 16 are
arcuate, the degree of curvature of each unwoven section 16 changes (e.g.,
flattens) as the
stretchable heating tape 2 is stretched in the direction of its length "L"
and/or its width "W",
as further described herein.
[0037] Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the conductive heating element 6 can
be in the form
of a conductive wire or conductive thread. For example, the conductive heating
element 6
may be comprised of a thin copper wire. However, it will be appreciated by
persons skilled
in the art that the conductive heating element 6 can be comprised of any
material that
conducts electric current but also has electrical resistivity such that the
electric current is at
least partially converted to heat energy when flowing through the conductive
heating element
.. 6. In an embodiment, the conductive heating element 6 is a non-stretchable
conductive wire
or conductive thread that is woven with stretchable yarns through a single
layer of the elastic
backing material 4. In some embodiments, the conductive heating element 6 is
electrically
insulated with an insulating material (e.g., a sheath, jacket, etc.) that
prevents electric current
from flowing from the conductive heating element 6 to other components of the
stretchable
.. heating tape 2 and/or the user's body but also conducts heat energy
generated by the
conductive heating element 6 to other components of the stretchable heating
tape 2 and/or
portions of the user's body.
[0038] The adhesive material 8 is provided on one side 10 of the elastic
backing material 4
to allow for a placement/securement of the stretchable heating tape 2 to a
portion of a user's
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body. The adhesive material 8 is elastic in nature such that the adhesive
material can be
stretched simultaneously with the elastic backing material 4 without
separation therefrom.
The adhesive material 8 is also thermally conductive, allowing for the
transfer of heat from
the conductive heating element 6 to a portion of the user's body. In an
embodiment, the
adhesive material 8 is a silicone gel. For example, the adhesive material 8
may be the P-
DERMO PS-2051 silicone gel / acrylic trilaminate available from Polymer
Science, Inc.
However, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the
adhesive material 8 may
be any adhesive material that can be stretched simultaneously with the elastic
backing
material 4 without separation therefrom, is thermally conductive, and allows
for
placement/securement of the stretchable heating tape 2 to a portion of a
user's body.
[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the stretchable heating tape 2
may be
stretchable from 0% - 100% of its non-stretched length "L". In an embodiment,
the
stretchable heating tape 2 has 0.125 pounds of pull force when stretched 20%
of its non-
stretched length, 0.875 pounds of pull force when stretched 40% of its non-
stretched length,
1.125 pounds of pull force when stretched 60% of its non-stretched length, and
2.25 pounds
of pull force when stretched 80% of its non-stretched length. Because the
unwoven sections
16 of the conductive heating element 6 are not woven into the elastic backing
material 4, the
unwoven sections 16 are unconstrained and able to accommodate stretching of
the stretchable
heating tape 2 without breaking. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6A and
6B, the
unwoven sections 16 are arcuate and the degree of curvature is able to change
(e.g., flatten)
as the stretchable heating tape 2 is stretched and the distance "d" between
adjacent woven
segments increases. The flattening of the unwoven sections 16 during
stretching of the
stretchable heating tape 2 allows the adjacent woven segments 14 to remain
parallel to each
other. Furthermore, this freedom in the degree of curvature of the unwoven
sections 16
allows the conductive heating element 6 to maintain continuity (i.e., not
break) as the
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stretchable heating tape 2 is stretched. FIGS. 6C and 6D illustrate a close-up
view of an
example of the change in the degree of curvature in an arcuate unwoven section
16 as the
stretchable heating tape 2 is stretched.
[0040] FIGS. 7 and 8 each illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a
knitting diagram for
manufacturing elastic backing material 4 and inlaying the conductive heating
element 6.
Table 1 describes properties for this exemplary embodiment, which results in
one knit piece
of nylon/spandex fabric (17% spandex, 83% nylon) (e.g., elastic backing
material 4)
measuring two inches by ten inches with an inlayed insulated wire (e.g.,
conductive heating
element 6). In this embodiment, the knitting machine is preferably run with
low and
consistent take down and a bind off technique used to finish the knit product
on a raw edge.
Table 1
Knitting Machine Type CMS ADF32 W E7.2 knitting machine available from H.
Stoll AG
& Co. KG
Knit Gauge 14 GG
Yarn Type 140 DC 1/70/34 Nylon 6.6
Yarn Description 140 Denier Spandex Core conventionally covered with
two ends of
1/70/34 "Reflexx" nylon available from Unifi, Inc.
Yarn Usage 4 grams
Wire Type Insulated copper wire
Wire Usage 68" (5' 8" LF)
Knitting Structure Birds Eye Jersey
Accessories Elastic Feeder to control feed of 140 DC 1/70/34 yarn;
Tension
setting of 5 grams
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 9-13 the electric controller 12 can be a
portable controller, worn
by a user in one or more embodiments. FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram
of an
embodiment of the electric controller 12. In an embodiment, the controller 12
includes a
microcontroller unit (MCU) 52, a low-dropout (LDO) regulator 54, a charging
management
circuit 56, an output control and temperature detecting circuit 58, an
electrical power source
85, a selection mechanism 95, one or more indicators 100, a pinhead connector
155, and one
or more flat connectors and temperature sensor 160. The MCU 52, LDO regulator
54,
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charging management circuit 56, output control and temperature detecting
circuit 58,
selection mechanism 95, indicators 100, pinhead connector 155, and flat
connectors and
temperature sensor 160 may be mounted on/within a printed circuit board 90 in
an
embodiment. The electrical power source 85 can include a chargeable electrical
power
supply, such as a battery or any USB power source, where electrical power to
conductive
heating element 6 is controlled by a power supply circuit. The power supply
circuit can
include the MCU 52 and the output control and temperature detecting circuit
58. An indicator
100 is provided, where the indication can indicate the status of the
conductive heating
element 6, on or off, or the status of the rechargeable electrical power
source 85.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the electric controller 12 includes a
housing 25, which
includes an upper shell 30 and a bottom shell 35 that engage one another to
create the
housing 25. In one embodiment, both the upper shell 30 and bottom shell 35
have an outer
section 40 and an inner section 45, and when the upper shell 30 and bottom
shell 35 engage
one another, the inner sections 45 of both the upper shell 30 and bottom shell
35 are adjacent
and abut one another. When assembled, the housing 25 therefore has two outer
sections 40
and one inner section 45. In one embodiment, both the outer sections 40 and
the inner section
45 are generally substantially rectangular members, although these components
may be
provided in any number of other shapes without significantly affecting the
functionality of
the overall system. In this embodiment, the outer sections 40 have a larger
perimeter than the
perimeter of the inner section 45. The housing 25 therefore preferably has a
spool-like shape.
The outer sections 40 may further have at least one securing section 50 that
extends to secure
at least one electrical connector 29. In one embodiment, the at least one
securing section 50
includes the corners of the outer section 40 that are further curved or bent
inwardly, towards
the inner section 45. The at least one electrical connector 29 may therefore
wrap around the
inner section 45 of the housing 25 and be secured by the securing section 50
of the outer
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sections 40, as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. However, in
alternative
embodiments, the housing 25 can be any shape and size as long as it is able to
surround the
components of the controller 12 and can secure the at least one electrical
connector 29, which
will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.
[0043] The upper shell 30 of the housing 25 is preferably the top face or
outer face 55,
while the bottom shell 35 is preferably the bottom face or the inner face 60,
when the
controller 12 is carried using a belt clip 170. In other words, when the
controller 12 is worn
by the human user, the bottom shell 35 is adjacent to the user and is
generally not visible. The
upper shell 30, on the other hand, is opposite from the bottom shell 35 and is
visible to the
user when the controller 12 is worn. In one embodiment, the bottom shell 35
further includes
a bottom rim 65 and a lower rim 70, with a smaller perimeter than the
perimeter of the
bottom rim 65, and projects upwardly from the bottom rim 65 towards the upper
shell 30
when the upper shell 30 and bottom shell 35 engage one another. Similarly, the
upper shell 30
may also include an upper rim 75, where an upper lip 80 is set within the
upper rim 75 to
create a step within the upper shell 30, and the upper lip 80 further having a
smaller perimeter
than the perimeter of the upper rim 75. When the upper shell 30 engages with
the bottom
shell 35, the upper shell 30 is positioned over the bottom shell 35 where the
bottom shell 35
is inserted into the upper shell 30, so that the bottom rim 65 of the bottom
shell 35 and the
upper rim 75 of the upper shell 30 abut and rest upon each other, while the
lower rim 70 abuts
and rests upon the upper lip 80. The upper shell 30 and bottom shell 35
therefore engage one
another through a friction or press fit or in other embodiments may include a
lip and at least
one recess elements on the respective shells that are operable to engage one
other in an
interference fit to removably secure the two shells together. Other methods of
engaging the
upper shell 30 and bottom shell 35 are envisioned and foreseeable. The housing
25 is
preferably made out of plastic, but can be any semi-rigid or rigid material
instead.
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[0044] The housing 25 of the controller 12 preferably serves to protect
and contain the
components of the controller 12. The components of the controller 12 include
an electrical
power source 85, which in one embodiment is a battery or battery pack, which
preferably
includes one or more lithium ion batteries. For example, a 7.4 V, 7000 mAh
lithium ion
battery capable of 8 hours of runtime. In another embodiment, the electrical
power source 85
is a USB power source. The electrical power source 85 provides power to a
printed circuit
board 90, connected to a temperature selection mechanism 95, which may be an
on/off button
or switch. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the electrical power source
85 is a
rechargeable battery to reduce waste, for example. The temperature selection
mechanism 95
is preferably located and positioned on the outer face 55 of the housing 25,
where the human
user can push the temperature selection mechanism 95 to turn the power on or
off, as seen in
Figs. 10 and 11. The temperature selection mechanism 95 can further be pushed
to adjust the
temperature setting of the controller 12 until the desired setting of low,
medium, and high
heat has been reached.
[0045] The controller 12 also includes at least one indicator 100
indicating at least one
operation state of the controller 12 and/or electrical heating kinesiology
tape 2 (e.g., the at
least one operation variable may be when the controller 12 is on, the current
temperature
setting, or when the electrical power source 85 needs to be recharged). Thus,
the controller 12
may include at least one battery status indicator, an on/off indicator, and a
temperature setting
indicator. In one embodiment, the at least one indicator 100 of the controller
12 may be visual
indicators in the form of one or more light-emitting diode (LED) lights 105
that preferably
will indicate whether the controller 12 has power, if it needs to be
recharged, and its
temperature setting. In one embodiment, the series of three LED lights 105 may
turn on or
change different colors, notifying the user of the selected pre-determined
temperature setting.
.. In the same or another embodiment, another LED light 105 may turn on or
change different
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colors, notifying the user if the electrical power source 85 is fully charged,
has a low charge,
or if the electrical power source 85 has any charge remaining. The LED lights
105 may be
covered and encased within at least one lens 110 to protect the LED lights 105
from being
damaged, as can be seen in Figs. 8-10. The lens 110 may be made out of
plastic, but can be
any material that is at least somewhat transparent so the user can see whether
the LED light
105 is lit and/or the color of the LED light 105.
[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the printed circuit board 90 and
electrical power source
85 within the housing 25 are further connectable to at least one electrical
connector 29 to
provide electrical power to the electrical heating kinesiology tape 2, as
explained in more
detail herein.
[0047] As illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, the housing 25 further includes at
least one female
connector opening 145 capable of accepting at least one male plug 165. In one
embodiment,
the controller 12 preferably includes a female pinhead connector 155 that is
capable of
mating with a male pinhead plug connected to a cable and a cable plug, which
is capable of
mating with a wall outlet, therefore allowing the electrical power source 85
of the controller
12 to recharge. Therefore, when the electrical power source 85 of the
controller 12 needs to
be recharged, the human user may insert the male pinhead plug into the female
pinhead
connector 155 and plug the cable plug into the wall outlet to recharge the
electrical power
source 85. The controller 12 may further include at least one female flat
connector 160
capable of mating with the male flat electric connection head 165 at both ends
of each at least
one electrical connector 29. The male flat electric connection head 165 at one
end of the
electrical connector 29 can be inserted into the female flat connector 160 in
the controller 12,
while the male flat electronic connection head 165 at the other end of the
electronic
connection 29 can be inserted into opposite free ends 18 and 20 of the
conductive heating
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element 6 thereby allowing the controller 12 to be electrically coupled to the
conductive
heating element 6. In an embodiment, the opposite free ends 18 and 20 of the
conductive
heating element 6 are female connecting pins.
[0048] Once the male flat electronic connection head 165 has been
inserted into the
female flat connector 160 of the controller 12, the at least one electrical
connector 29 may be
wrapped around the inner section 45 of controller 12 to secure and hold the at
least one
electrical connector 29 out of the way, but still allow for easy access if the
length of the at
least one electronic connection 29 needs to be adjusted. In other words, the
inner section 45
and outer section 40 of the controller engage and coordinate one another to
define a recess
.. 168 around the periphery of the controller where the at least one
electrical connector 29 may
be selectively wrapped around the inner section 45 of the housing 25. The
outer sections 40
each further have at least one securing section 50 that extends to coordinate
the securing of
the electrical connection 29 around the recess or the inner section 45, and
prevent the
electrical connection 29 from unraveling when wrapped within the recess 168.
[0049] The inner face 60 of the controller 12 further includes a
selectively engageable belt
clip 170 so that a user may clip the controller 12 to a pair of pants or
shorts, and use the
electrical heating kinesiology tape 2 without being forced to remain in one
place. In greater
detail, the inner face 60 of the controller 12 includes at least one female
snap button
connector 175 located and positioned on the inner face 60 of the controller 12
that selectively
engages at least one male snap button fastener 180 located and positioned on a
holder 185 of
the belt clip 170. The holder 185 is preferably an upside down U-shaped member
where a
user may slide his or her waistband in between the arms of the U-shaped member
so that the
holder 185 may selectively engage the waistband of a pair of pants. The holder
185 further
has an inner side 190 and an outer side 195, where the inner side 190 is
adjacent and abuts the
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user's undergarments if the user is using the belt clip 170 to facilitate
carrying the controller
12. The outer side 195 of the holder 185 is adjacent to the inner face 60 of
the controller 12
and includes the at least one male snap button fastener 180.
[0050] The at least one male snap button fastener 180 and at least one
female snap button
connector 175 are conventional type cooperatively engaging fasteners well
known in the prior
art. In operation, force is typically applied to the prongs of the male snap
button fastener 180
so that the prongs are inwardly depressed when inserted into the female snap
button
connector 175. Once pressure is no longer applied to the prongs of the male
snap button
fastener 180, the prongs return to their normal position within the female
snap button
connector 175 thereby securing the male snap button fastener 180 within the
female snap
button connector 175. In order to disengage male snap button fastener 180 from
the female
snap button connector 175, the user applies force by pulling the male snap
button fastener
180 away from the female snap button connector 175, thereby inwardly
depressing the prongs
and withdrawing the male snap button fastener 180 from the female snap button
connector
175. The male snap button fastener 180 is therefore able to selectively engage
with the female
snap button connector 175, and the belt clip 170 therefore is selectively
attachable and
releasable from the controller 12.
[0051] In order to use the electrical heating kinesiology tape 2 when
electrically coupled
to the controller 12, the user may first check the at least one indicator 100
to determine
whether the electrical power source 85 in the controller 12 has power or if
the electrical
power source 85 needs to be recharged or replaced, depending on the
embodiment. In one
embodiment where the at least one indicator 100 is a LED light 105, the LED
light 105 can
turn on, change colors, or otherwise signal that the electrical power source
85 has no or a low
charge. If the electrical power source 85 needs to be recharged, the user may
insert the cable
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plug into the wall socket and the male pinhead plug into the female pinhead
connector 155 of
the controller 12. The LED light 105 can further indicate that the electrical
power source 85
is charging and when the electrical power source 85 is fully charged.
[0052] Once the electrical power source 85 has been sufficiently charged,
the male
pinhead plug may be removed from the female pinhead connector 155 of the
controller 12,
and the male flat electric connection head 165 of the at least one electrical
connector 29 may
be inserted into and mated to the at least one female flat connector 160 of
the controller 12.
The other male flat electric connection head 165 of the at least one
electrical connector 29
may be connected to at least one of opposite free ends 18 and 20 of the
conductive heating
element 6 so that the male flat electric connection head 165 mates with the
electrical heating
kinesiology tape 2.
[0053] The electrical heating kinesiology tape 2 may be placed against
the human user's
skin so that the adhesive material 8 is adjacent and abuts the skin of the
human user. Once the
electrical heating kinesiology tape 2 has been positioned and attached at the
desired area, the
excess cable of the at least one electrical connector 29 may be wound around
the inner
section 45 of the controller 12 so that at least one electrical connector 29
does not get caught
on other objects or become tangled. In an alternate embodiment, a split hard
shell case is
provided within which the electrical heating kinesiology tape 2 can be stored
between uses.
In a preferred version of this embodiment, the inside surfaces of the case
(those against which
the electrical heating kinesiology tape 2 may rest) are provided with multiple
thin, raised fins
that serve to minimize the surface contact between the shell and the
electrical heating
kinesiology tape 2.
[0054] If the user desires to move while using the electrical heating
kinesiology tape 2, the
user may have the belt clip 170 engage with the controller 12 by inserting the
male snap
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button fastener 180 into the female snap button connector 175 on the inner
face 60 of the
controller 12. The user can then use the belt clip 170 to facilitate carrying
the controller 12,
and therefore is not required to carry the controller 12 by hand. The user can
then press the
temperature selection mechanism 95 to turn the controller 12 on and further
press the
temperature selection mechanism 95 to adjust the temperate setting to a pre-
determined
setting, if so desired. The controller 12 conducts the electrical power
provided by the
electrical power source 85 through the at least one electrical connector 29 to
the electrical
heating kinesiology tape 2 by engaging the conductive heating element 6
through the at least
one electrical connector 29. The at least one electrical connector 29 is
coupled to the output
control and temperature detection circuit 58, which is further coupled to the
electrical power
source 85. The electrical connections extend from the controller 12 to the
electrical heating
kinesiology tape 2, where the electrical connectors 29 may be inserted into
the controller 12
and connected to the conductive heating element 6. Thus, the electrical power
source 85 is
able to provide electrical power to the electrical heating kinesiology tape 2.
[0055] FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the
stretchable
heating tape 2 that is stretchable from 0% - 100% of its non-stretched length
"L". In this
exemplary embodiment, the conductive heating element 6 is not woven through
the elastic
backing material 4 but is instead affixed to one side of the elastic backing
material 4. For
example, the conductive heating element 6 may be affixed to the elastic
backing material
with one or more sewn threads or yarn or the like. Because no sections of the
conductive
heating element 6 are woven through the elastic backing material 4 in this
exemplary
embodiment, arcuate sections of the conductive heating element 6 can be
affixed to the
elastic backing material 4 and still accommodate stretching of the stretchable
heating tape 2
without breaking.
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[0056] The conductive heating element 6 illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 14B
may
alternatively be woven through the elastic backing material 4 as described
above. In such an
embodiment, the arcuate portions of the conductive heating element 6 would
also be woven
through the elastic backing material 4, in addition to the adjacent woven
segments 14. As the
.. stretchable heating tape 2 is stretched, its length elongates but its width
narrows. The
conductive heating element 6 is not directly affixed to any specific point of
the elastic
backing material 4, and is able to adjust its position therewithin. This
allows the conductive
heating element 6 to adjust its shape to conform to the stretched shape of the
elastic backing
material 6.
[0057] All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference
in their entirety.
[0058] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the
present invention is not
limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In
addition, unless
mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the
accompanying
drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are
possible in light of
the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention, which is
limited only by the following claims.
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